5,250 US teenage girls give birth every week. 89% of them are unmarried.

On average, 54% of all US children live in single parent homes; ranging from 17% of Asian children to 29% of White, 43% of Latino, and 73% of Black. These rates have increased 35% during the past 37 years. Of the 29 developed countries with the highest single parent rates, the US ranks 28th.

About 300,000 American children per year are at-risk for being trafficked for sex. The majority are girls between 11 and 14, and 70% of them are from foster homes. The average life expectancy of a sex trafficking victim is 7 years. They die from beatings, sexually-transmitted diseases, drug overdoses, malnutrition, and suicide.

The US government spends 300 times more money to fight drug trafficking than it does to fight human trafficking, and the penalties for selling drugs are much greater than for selling humans.

Almost 200 years ago, French sociologist Alexis de Toqueville visited America, and was impressed with what he saw in this relatively new country. He allegedly stated: “America is great because she is good, and if America ever CEASES to be good, she will cease to be great.”

Every statistical category points to the fact that regarding our children, America HAS lost its “goodness” – its national soul. Something is terribly wrong with how our kids are being parented, protected, educated, and cared for, and the trend in most categories is worsening.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION

The well-being of our children must become a top national priority in order to maintain our nation’s economy, public safety, defense, and health. Responsible parenting, safe and effective schools, a respect for law enforcement, healthy lifestyles, clean/sober living, teaching moral/spiritual values, developing a strong work ethic, and personal accountability are critical to saving our children and nation.